CSOs had called a 12-hours total shutter down on September 30 to show its resentment against the recent government’s order on relocating of branches/cells to the new Deputy Commissioner’s Office Complex Chumoukedima. A mass rally is likely to be held on October 5.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Special Correspondent
Forming a core committee as per its resolution adopted on September 30 to voice against the shifting of Deputy Commissioner (DC) office at a meeting held on October 1, the Dimapur based Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called for a “mass citizen’s rally” on October 5 if the Nagaland government does not respond with a positive note to their demand by Monday (October 4).
This comes after the newly formed “core committee” of the CSOs reportedly had a meeting on October 2 where it demanded the Nagaland government to reconsider the September 7 order issued by the Principal Secretary (Home).
The October 2 meet also “reaffirmed” the September 7, 2021, ultimatum served on to the Nagaland Chief Minister. The rally to be held on October 5 starting 9 am from Clock Tower Junction to DC’s office, Dimapur, is proposed if there is no positive response from the State government till the deadline.
The core-committee comprising two members each from CSOs and five senior citizens as members, besides legal advisors, have appealed to all responsible citizens of Dimapur to be ready to assemble at the venue for the “cause of Dimapur citizens”.
It may be pertinent to mention here that the CSOs had called for a 12-hours total shutter down on September 30 in order to show its resentment against the recent government order on September 7 with regard to the shifting of branches/cells to the new Deputy Commissioner’s Office Complex Chumoukedima.
While reading out the memorandum, Dimapur District Citizen’s Forum (DDCF) president, Yibemo Kikon, mentioned that the citizens of Dimapur represented by various civil societies after through deliberations had served the ultimatum on the Nagaland government for immediate action for the welfare of the citizens of Dimapur.
He had also mentioned that in spite of repeated representations on August 25, 2014, June 5, 2015 and April 6 this year against shifting of DC’s office to elsewhere, the Home department on September 7 has issued an order No.GAB-8/DMP/63/2011(P1)/249 for shifting of District Election Office and the Disaster Management Cell to the new DC office complex at Chumukedima, and to make necessary arrangements for shifting of other branches at an early date.
The CSOs had also demanded removal of the tag “HQ: Chumukedima Camp: Dimapur” from the letter head of the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, should be removed within five days starting September 29 and ending October 3.
The “ultimatum” was jointly endorsed Dimapur Sumi Council, DNEN, Naga Council Dimapur, ENPOP, BDS Union Dimapur, Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, DENSU, KRN, DUCCF, and Lotha Hoho Dimapur.
The Nagaland Principal Secretary (Home), Abhijit Sinha, had on September 28 through an official communiqué had appealed the DCCF to consider withdrawing the September 29 ultimatum citing various government’s official meetings including that of the Cabinet held on August 10 this year deciding for posting of an ADC, an EAC and the Sub-Treasury Officer at the new Deputy Commissioner’s Office Complex Chumukedima, and also for shifting of the branches/cells of the DC Office as well as other offices to the New Complex
He added that the decision of the Cabinet was taken with a view to provide greater convenience to the residents of the district, including Dimapur town, for getting various services of the Government from the branches and offices housed at the New Complex, and it was also further aimed to decongest the present Deputy Commissioner’s office, and the partial shifting of some branches as well as some offices to the New Complex which is complete in all respects, would be in the interest of the people of the district.
The CSOs main arguments against the relocation are as follows.
1. The present Deputy Commissioner’s office is located in a cadastral land which means it is in an urban area. Shifting it would entail tremendous hardship for the citizens of Dimapur as more than 50 percent of the total populations of the district live under Dimapur Sadar Sub-Division.
2. Unlike other districts of Nagaland, Dimapur has three revenue areas and is also the commercial capital of the state for which the Deputy Commissioner is also the District Collector.
3. The state government is formed by democratically elected representatives of the people and hence, the best interest of the people must be kept in mind while taking such sensitive decisions. There is a clear apprehension of tension leading to unrest if the Government goes ahead with the decision to shift the headquarters elsewhere.
4. It is quite surprising to see the posting of an ADC in the office of EAC Chumukedima even if certain conditions such as “will function from” is indicated. It may be the prerogative of the State government to put in place such administrative arrangements but no proper system seems to have been followed. People are aware that between EAC and ADC, there is another post of SDO (Civil).